ADO-EKITI — Former Governor of Ekiti State, John Kayode Fayemi, has shared a reflective account of a recent visit to elder statesman Pa Deji Fasuan, describing the engagement as both personally enriching and historically significant.
During the visit, Fayemi spent time in conversation with Fasuan, revisiting key moments from his life and public service, including his years as a development economist and civil servant. The discussions, he noted, provided deeper insight into Fasuan’s long-standing contributions to governance, policy thinking, and public administration in Nigeria.
Particular attention was given to Fasuan’s role as Chairman of the committee that championed the creation of Ekiti State, a long-advocated political and administrative aspiration that was eventually realized in 1996. Fayemi highlighted the journey toward state creation as one marked by persistence, advocacy, and coordinated civic effort, reflecting the broader struggles and negotiations that often accompany Nigeria’s state-creation processes.
According to Fayemi, revisiting this history offered an opportunity to better appreciate the foundational work that preceded Ekiti State’s establishment, as well as the individuals whose efforts helped shape its identity and administrative structure. He emphasized that such engagements serve as a reminder of the importance of documenting and learning from historical processes that continue to influence present-day governance.
He further described his time with Fasuan as a lesson in humility, noting that interactions with elder statesmen often provide perspective on leadership, service, and continuity. Fayemi expressed gratitude for Fasuan’s wisdom, describing him as an enduring example of dedication to public service and regional development.
The visit also underscores the value of intergenerational dialogue in preserving institutional memory and reinforcing the role of historical actors in shaping Nigeria’s political and developmental landscape.